Bernard Tomic wins in three sets to keep Sydney International title defence on track

Updated
Thu 9 Jan 2014, 7:34 AM AEDT

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On the charge... Bernard Tomic

AAP Image: Paul Miller

Bernard Tomic has kept his Sydney International title defence on track, advancing to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Slovenian qualifier Blaz Kavcic.

Having enjoyed a quickfire win over eighth-seeded Spaniard Marcel Granollers in his opening encounter, Tomic had a bigger fight on his hands on Wednesday with Kavcic pushing him to three sets before the Australian prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Tomic had the Sydney crowd behind him - something the young man acknowledges hasn't always been the case.

"There are people out there that don't like you obviously, you know, for what you're doing and for what privileges you have. It's difficult for them to see you on top," Tomic said.

"You're always going to have haters out there.

"I have a huge support in Australia playing the last few years, and always have since I was 15, 16. Every year the support is becoming better and better

"Obviously I play very good in Australia, and that's why the crowd seems to support me well."

Tomic's father John, who was banned from gaining accreditation to ATP events for 12 months, was again spotted in the stands with tournament organisers allowing him to attend as a spectator.

Tomic came bursting out of the blocks to race to a 4-1 lead before wrapping up the first set.

But the Australian seemed to lose his momentum after a brief rain delay was called in the second set.

And up 5-4 when they returned Kavcic took advantage, breaking Tomic's serve right away to level at a set each.

Ahead 5-4 in the final set, Tomic closed out the match on his second match-point with an overhead smash.

The world number 52 Australian will now take on either Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov or second-seeded Pole Jerzy Janowicz for a spot in the semi-finals.

Matosevic continues charge

Australian Marinko Matosevic's good form has continued with a second-round win over third seed Italian Andreas Seppi at the Sydney International.

Matosevic, ranked 56 in the world tennis rankings, scored a straight-sets win over the 25th-ranked Seppi 6-3, 6-4.

He will now play Sergiy Stakhovsky in the quarter-finals after the Ukrainian beat Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-2.

The victory continues Matosevic's strong start to the 2014 season which began with two wins at the Brisbane International before losing to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

"To get a win over Andreas is a big confidence booster," Matosevic said following his win over Seppi.

The 28-year-old said he feels his game is in good shape and continuing to improve.

Against Seppi he did not drop a single service game.

"I'm trying to get my serve better and play tennis on my terms," he said.

Meanwhile, number one seed Juan Martin del Potro has overcome a slow start to advance to the third-round, eventually beating Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Del Potro was stunned in a one-sided first set, but soon regained his composure before closing out the match with authority.

Also through to the quarter-finals are fourth seed Dmitry Tursunov of Russia and Czech veteran Radek Stepanek.